Wearable Electronic Device Including Coupling Member

This application is a bypass continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2024/007318, filed on May 29, 2024, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0084445, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jun. 29, 2023, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0090900, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jul. 13, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0152057, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 6, 2023, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wearable electronic device and, more particularly, to a wearable electronic device that includes a coupling member.

With the advancement of electronic technology, various types of wearable electronic devices are required to be miniaturized and to be equipped with diverse functions. In order to meet these requirements, various electronic components are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB).

One or more components related acoustic effects may be mounted on a printed circuit board of a wearable electronic device. The sound effect-related components may include, for example, a speaker and a microphone, and these components may be mounted within the housing of the wearable electronic device with various shapes and arrangements corresponding to the exterior design of the wearable electronic device that is designed in various ways.

The wearable electronic device equipped with the speaker and the microphone may include, for example, an in-ear earphone (or an earset, a headphone, or a headset) or a hearing aid. The wearable electronic device may be worn near a user's ear and may be manufactured in a compact size for this purpose.

The above-described information may be provided as related art for the purpose of helping to understand the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made regarding whether any of the foregoing may be applied as prior art with respect to the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wearable electronic device may include: a housing including a space; a port that at least partially protrudes outward from the housing; an eartip including an opening, the eartip connected to the port; a speaker inside the housing and configured to output sound toward the opening of the eartip; and at least one coupling member connecting the eartip and the port, wherein the eartip includes at least one recess into which at least a portion of the at least one coupling member is inserted.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wearable electronic device may include: a housing including a space formed; a port protruding at least partially outward from the housing; an eartip connected to the port and including an opening; a speaker inside the housing and configured to output sound toward the opening of the eartip; a plurality of coupling members connecting the eartip and the port, the plurality of coupling members being spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the port; and a plurality of springs that are configured to move together with the plurality of coupling members, respectively, the plurality of springs being spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the port.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wearable electronic device may include: a housing including a space; a port protruding at least partially outward from the housing; an eartip connected to the port and including an opening; a speaker inside the housing and configured to output sound toward the opening of the eartip; a coupling member connecting the eartip and the port; and a mesh member connected to the eartip, the mesh member being closer than the coupling member to the opening.

Throughout the appended drawings, like reference numerals may be assigned to like components, configurations, and/or structures.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings may provide an understanding of various non-limiting example embodiments of the present disclosure, including their equivalents. An example embodiment disclosed in the following description includes various specific details to help understanding, but is considered to be one of various non-limiting example embodiments. Accordingly, it will be understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art that various implementations described herein may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and brevity.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to a bibliographical meaning, but may be used to describe an embodiment of the present disclosure clearly and consistently. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various example embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for explanatory purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure and equivalents thereof.

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” should be understood to include the plural meaning. Accordingly, for example, the term “a component surface” may be understood to include one or more surfaces of the component.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

1 FIG. 101 100 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic devicein a network environmentaccording to various embodiments.

1 FIG. 101 100 102 198 104 108 199 101 104 108 101 120 130 150 155 160 170 176 177 178 179 180 188 189 190 196 197 178 101 101 176 180 197 160 120 140 101 120 120 176 190 132 132 134 120 121 123 121 101 121 123 123 121 123 121 Referring to, the electronic devicein the network environmentmay communicate with an electronic devicevia a first network(e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or at least one of an electronic deviceor a servervia a second network(e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic devicemay communicate with the electronic devicevia the server. According to an embodiment, the electronic devicemay include a processor, memory, an input module, a sound output module, a display module, an audio module, a sensor module, an interface, a connecting terminal, a haptic module, a camera module, a power management module, a battery, a communication module, a subscriber identification module (SIM), or an antenna module. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the connecting terminal) may be omitted from the electronic device, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device. In some embodiments, some of the components (e.g., the sensor module, the camera module, or the antenna module) may be implemented as a single component (e.g., the display module). The processormay execute, for example, software (e.g., a program) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic devicecoupled with the processor, and may perform various data processing or computation. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processormay store a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor moduleor the communication module) in volatile memory, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory, and store resulting data in non-volatile memory. According to an embodiment, the processormay include a main processor(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), or an auxiliary processor(e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor. For example, when the electronic deviceincludes the main processorand the auxiliary processor, the auxiliary processormay be adapted to consume less power than the main processor, or to be specific to a specified function. The auxiliary processormay be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor.

123 160 176 190 101 121 121 121 121 123 180 190 123 123 101 108 The auxiliary processormay control at least some of functions or states related to at least one component (e.g., the display module, the sensor module, or the communication module) among the components of the electronic device, instead of the main processorwhile the main processoris in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processorwhile the main processoris in an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor(e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera moduleor the communication module) functionally related to the auxiliary processor. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor(e.g., the neural processing unit) may include a hardware structure specified for artificial intelligence model processing. An artificial intelligence model may be generated by machine learning. Such learning may be performed, e.g., by the electronic devicewhere the artificial intelligence is performed or via a separate server (e.g., the server). Learning algorithms may include, but are not limited to, e.g., supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning. The artificial intelligence model may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers. The artificial neural network may be a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), deep Q-network or a combination of two or more thereof but is not limited thereto. The artificial intelligence model may, additionally or alternatively, include a software structure other than the hardware structure.

130 120 176 101 140 130 132 134 The memorymay store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processoror the sensor module) of the electronic device. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., the program) and input data or output data for a command related thereto. The memorymay include the volatile memoryor the non-volatile memory.

140 130 142 144 146 The programmay be stored in the memoryas software, and may include, for example, an operating system (OS), middleware, or an application.

150 120 101 101 150 The input modulemay receive a command or data to be used by another component (e.g., the processor) of the electronic device, from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device. The input modulemay include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

155 101 155 The sound output modulemay output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device. The sound output modulemay include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record. The receiver may be used for receiving incoming calls. According to an embodiment, the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

160 101 160 160 The display modulemay visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device. The display modulemay include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display, hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the display modulemay include a touch sensor adapted to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch.

170 170 150 155 102 101 The audio modulemay convert a sound into an electrical signal and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio modulemay obtain the sound via the input module, or output the sound via the sound output moduleor a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device.

176 101 101 176 The sensor modulemay detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic deviceor an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device, and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor modulemay include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

177 101 102 177 The interfacemay support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic deviceto be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interfacemay include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.

178 101 102 178 A connecting terminalmay include a connector via which the electronic devicemay be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device). According to an embodiment, the connecting terminalmay include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

179 179 The haptic modulemay convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus which may be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic modulemay include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator.

180 180 The camera modulemay capture a still image or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera modulemay include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

188 101 188 The power management modulemay manage power supplied to the electronic device. According to one embodiment, the power management modulemay be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

189 101 189 The batterymay supply power to at least one component of the electronic device. According to an embodiment, the batterymay include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

190 101 102 104 108 190 120 190 192 194 198 199 192 101 198 199 196 The communication modulemay support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic deviceand the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device, the electronic device, or the server) and performing communication via the established communication channel. The communication modulemay include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor(e.g., the application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication modulemay include a wireless communication module(e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module(e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network(e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network(e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may be implemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from each other. The wireless communication modulemay identify and authenticate the electronic devicein a communication network, such as the first networkor the second network, using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module.

192 192 192 192 101 104 199 192 The wireless communication modulemay support a 5G network, after a 4G network, and next-generation communication technology, e.g., new radio (NR) access technology. The NR access technology may support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), or ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). The wireless communication modulemay support a high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band) to achieve, e.g., a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication modulemay support various technologies for securing performance on a high-frequency band, such as, e.g., beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (massive MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication modulemay support various requirements specified in the electronic device, an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device), or a network system (e.g., the second network). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication modulemay support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for implementing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for implementing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for each of downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or a round trip of 1 ms or less) for implementing URLLC.

197 101 197 197 198 199 190 192 190 197 The antenna modulemay transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of the electronic device. According to an embodiment, the antenna modulemay include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, the antenna modulemay include a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas). In such a case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first networkor the second network, may be selected, for example, by the communication module(e.g., the wireless communication module) from the plurality of antennas. The signal or the power may then be transmitted or received between the communication moduleand the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module.

197 According to various embodiments, the antenna modulemay form a mmWave antenna module. According to an embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, a RFIC disposed on a first surface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the first surface and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on a second surface (e.g., the top or a side surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the second surface and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the designated high-frequency band.

At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutually and communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)).

101 104 108 199 102 104 101 101 102 104 108 101 101 101 101 101 104 108 104 108 199 101 According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic deviceand the external electronic devicevia the servercoupled with the second network. Each of the electronic devicesormay be a device of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device. According to an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic devicemay be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices,, or. For example, if the electronic deviceshould perform a function or a service automatically, or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device, instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service, may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or the service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least part of the function or the service requested, or an additional function or an additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome of the performing to the electronic device. The electronic devicemay provide the outcome, with or without further processing of the outcome, as at least part of a reply to the request. To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic devicemay provide ultra low-latency services using, e.g., distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In another embodiment, the external electronic devicemay include an internet-of-things (IoT) device. The servermay be an intelligent server using machine learning and/or a neural network. According to an embodiment, the external electronic deviceor the servermay be included in the second network. The electronic devicemay be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology or IoT-related technology.

2 FIG. 2 FIG. 200 170 170 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 is a block diagramillustrating the audio moduleaccording to various embodiments. Referring to, the audio modulemay include, for example, an audio input interface, an audio input mixer, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), an audio signal processor, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), an audio output mixer, or an audio output interface.

210 101 150 101 102 210 102 178 192 210 102 210 210 120 130 101 The audio input interfacemay receive an audio signal corresponding to a sound obtained from the outside of the electronic devicevia a microphone (e.g., a dynamic microphone, a condenser microphone, or a piezo microphone) that is configured as part of the input deviceor separately from the electronic device. For example, if an audio signal is obtained from the external electronic device(e.g., a headset or a microphone), the audio input interfacemay be connected with the external electronic devicedirectly via the connecting terminal, or wirelessly (e.g., Bluetooth™ communication) via the wireless communication moduleto receive the audio signal. According to an embodiment, the audio input interfacemay receive a control signal (e.g., a volume adjustment signal received via an input button) related to the audio signal obtained from the external electronic device. The audio input interfacemay include a plurality of audio input channels and may receive a different audio signal via a corresponding one of the plurality of audio input channels, respectively. According to an embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the audio input interfacemay receive an audio signal from another component (e.g., the processoror the memory) of the electronic device.

220 220 210 The audio input mixermay synthesize a plurality of inputted audio signals into at least one audio signal. For example, according to an embodiment, the audio input mixermay synthesize a plurality of analog audio signals inputted via the audio input interfaceinto at least one analog audio signal.

230 230 210 220 The ADCmay convert an analog audio signal into a digital audio signal. For example, according to an embodiment, the ADCmay convert an analog audio signal received via the audio input interfaceor, additionally or alternatively, an analog audio signal synthesized via the audio input mixerinto a digital audio signal.

240 230 101 240 240 The audio signal processormay perform various processing on a digital audio signal received via the ADCor a digital audio signal received from another component of the electronic device. For example, according to an embodiment, the audio signal processormay perform changing a sampling rate, applying one or more filters, interpolation processing, amplifying or attenuating a whole or partial frequency bandwidth, noise processing (e.g., attenuating noise or echoes), changing channels (e.g., switching between mono and stereo), mixing, or extracting a specified signal for one or more digital audio signals. According to an embodiment, one or more functions of the audio signal processormay be implemented in the form of an equalizer.

250 250 240 120 130 101 The DACmay convert a digital audio signal into an analog audio signal. For example, according to an embodiment, the DACmay convert a digital audio signal processed by the audio signal processoror a digital audio signal obtained from another component (e.g., the processor() or the memory()) of the electronic deviceinto an analog audio signal.

260 260 250 210 The audio output mixermay synthesize a plurality of audio signals, which are to be outputted, into at least one audio signal. For example, according to an embodiment, the audio output mixermay synthesize an analog audio signal converted by the DACand another analog audio signal (e.g., an analog audio signal received via the audio input interface) into at least one analog audio signal.

270 250 260 101 155 155 155 270 5 1 270 102 178 192 The audio output interfacemay output an analog audio signal converted by the DACor, additionally or alternatively, an analog audio signal synthesized by the audio output mixerto the outside of the electronic devicevia the sound output device. The sound output devicemay include, for example, a speaker, such as a dynamic driver or a balanced armature driver, or a receiver. According to an embodiment, the sound output devicemay include a plurality of speakers. In such a case, the audio output interfacemay output audio signals having a plurality of different channels (e.g., stereo channels or.channels) via at least some of the plurality of speakers. According to an embodiment, the audio output interfacemay be connected with the external electronic device(e.g., an external speaker or a headset) directly via the connecting terminalor wirelessly via the wireless communication moduleto output an audio signal.

170 220 260 240 According to an embodiment, the audio modulemay generate, without separately including the audio input mixeror the audio output mixer, at least one digital audio signal by synthesizing a plurality of digital audio signals using at least one function of the audio signal processor.

170 210 270 170 According to an embodiment, the audio modulemay include an audio amplifier (not shown) (e.g., a speaker amplifying circuit) that is capable of amplifying an analog audio signal inputted via the audio input interfaceor an audio signal that is to be outputted via the audio output interface. According to an embodiment, the audio amplifier may be configured as a module separate from the audio module.

3 FIG. 4 FIG. 3 FIG. 5 FIG. 4 FIG. 3 4 5 FIGS.,, and 1 2 FIGS.and 3 4 5 FIGS.,, and 6 27 FIGS.to 3 4 FIGS., 6 27 FIGS.to 300 300 300 5 480 is a perspective view illustrating a wearable electronic device.is a cross-sectional view illustrating the wearable electronic deviceillustrated in.is a view illustrating a portion of the cross section illustrated in. The components described with reference tomay be partially or entirely the same as the components described with reference to. The components described with reference tomay be partially or entirely the same as the components described with reference to. The wearable electronic deviceillustrated in, andmay be in a state in which an eartip (e.g., an eartipof) is not coupled.

300 310 310 310 300 310 311 312 311 312 According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a housing. A space may be provided inside the housing. The housingmay form the exterior of the wearable electronic device. The housingmay include a first housingand a second housing. The first housingand the second housingmay be configured integrally.

300 313 330 313 310 330 313 According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a housing openingand a grill. The housing openingmay be formed in the housing. The grillmay be disposed in the housing opening.

300 320 320 310 320 312 320 310 According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a port. The portmay be coupled to the housing. The portmay be coupled to the second housing. The portmay protrude outward from the housing.

310 300 340 340 310 340 350 360 According to an embodiment, a space S may be formed inside the housing. The wearable electronic devicemay include a battery. The batterymay be disposed in the space S inside the housing. The batterymay supply power to at least one speakerand a microphone.

300 350 360 350 360 310 350 351 352 351 352 360 360 320 According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include the at least one speakerand the microphone. The at least one speakerand the microphonemay be placed inside the housing. The at least one speakermay include a first speakerand a second speaker. One from among the first speakerand the second speakermay output sound of a high-frequency range, and the other may output sound of a low-frequency range. The microphonemay be used to perform an active noise cancellation (ANC) function. The microphonemay receive external sound outside the port.

300 320 321 320 321 300 350 300 321 360 300 321 According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include the portand an acoustic conduitformed inside the port. The acoustic conduitmay be in communication with an external space of the wearable electronic device. The speakermay output sound to the outside of the wearable electronic devicethrough the acoustic conduit. The microphonemay receive external sound of the wearable electronic devicethrough the acoustic conduit.

300 370 370 310 320 370 According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a support member. The support membermay be a portion of the housing. The portmay be coupled to the support member.

6 FIG. 7 FIG. 6 7 FIGS.and 1 5 FIGS.to 6 7 FIGS.and 8 27 FIGS.to 410 420 430 440 480 101 480 420 is an exploded view of a portion of a housing, a port, a coupling member, a spring, and an eartip.is a view of a portion of the wearable electronic devicein a state in which the eartipand the portare coupled. The components to be described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components described with reference to. The components to be described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components to be described with reference to.

101 410 420 410 420 310 320 420 410 1 5 FIGS.to According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a housingand a port. The description of the housingand the portmay be understood based on the description of the components (e.g., the housingand the port) provided with reference to. The portmay be coupled to the housing.

101 470 470 370 470 410 420 470 1 5 FIGS.to According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a support member. The description of the support membermay be the same as or similar to the description of the support memberprovided with reference to. The support membermay be a portion of the housing. The portmay be coupled to the support member.

420 421 422 421 421 422 470 422 421 422 421 422 According to an embodiment, the portmay include a port walland a rim portion. The port wallmay form a space therein. The port wallmay be cylindrical. The rim portionmay contact (e.g., be seated on) the support member. The rim portionmay extend along a circumferential direction of the port wall. The rim portionmay at least partially surround the port wall. The rim portionmay be annular.

101 430 430 421 430 421 430 480 According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a coupling member. At least a portion of the coupling membermay be disposed inside the port wall. At least a portion of the coupling membermay protrude outward from the port wall. The coupling membermay be connected to the eartip.

101 440 440 430 440 421 440 480 430 According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a spring. The springmay be connected to the coupling member. The springmay be deformably disposed inside the port wall. The springmay be deformed when the eartipand the coupling memberare coupled.

101 480 480 420 480 430 480 481 481 420 480 482 482 481 430 482 480 483 483 321 350 101 483 5 FIG. 4 FIG. According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include an eartip. The eartipmay be coupled to the port. The eartipmay be connected to the coupling member. The eartipmay include an eartip body. The eartip bodymay extend along a circumferential direction of the port. The eartipmay include a holding portion. The holding portionmay be connected to the eartip body. At least a portion of the coupling membermay be inserted into the holding portion. The eartipmay include an opening. The openingmay be in communication with an acoustic conduit (e.g., the acoustic conduitof). Sound output from the at least one speaker (e.g., the at least one speakerof) may be transmitted to the outside of the wearable electronic devicethrough the opening.

8 FIG. 6 FIG. 9 FIG. 6 FIG. 10 FIG. 7 FIG. 8 10 FIGS.to 1 7 FIGS.to 8 10 FIGS.to 11 27 FIGS.to is a cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in.is a view illustrating a cross-section of a portion of the structure illustrated in.is a cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in. The components described with reference tomay be partially or entirely the same as the components described with reference to. The components described with reference tomay be partially or entirely the same as the components described with reference to.

420 421 422 421 430 421 420 423 423 421 423 420 430 423 According to an embodiment, the portmay include a port walland a rim portion. A space may be formed inside the port wall. The coupling membermay be disposed inside the port wall. The portmay include a port hole. The port holemay be formed as an opening in the port wall. A plurality of port holesmay be formed in the portion, and may be spaced apart from each other. At least a portion of the coupling membermay pass through the port hole.

430 430 420 430 430 430 420 430 440 440 430 430 440 430 440 440 440 430 440 441 442 443 According to an embodiment, a plurality of coupling membersmay be disposed. The plurality of coupling membersmay be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the port. For example, three coupling membersmay be disposed, but the number of coupling membersis not limited thereto. For example, the coupling membermay include two coupling members spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the port. For example, the coupling membermay be one, or more than three may be disposed. A plurality of springsmay be disposed. The plurality of springsmay correspond to the plurality of coupling members, respectively. For example, three coupling membersmay be disposed, and three springsmay be disposed to correspond to the three coupling members. The number of springsis not limited to the above. For example, the springsmay include two springs spaced apart from each other. The number of springsmay be the same as the number of coupling members. The springsmay include a first spring, a second spring, and a third spring.

421 421 4211 4212 4211 4212 4211 421 4212 430 4212 430 434 434 435 436 434 421 437 430 4212 421 423 4212 421 According to an embodiment, the port wallmay be cylindrical. The port wallmay include a first portionand a second portion. The first portionand the second portionmay be integrally formed. The first portionmay include an end portion of the port wall, and the second portionmay be spaced apart from the end portion. The coupling membermay be connected to the second portion. The coupling membermay include a connecting portion. The connecting portionmay connect a first walland a second wall. The connecting portionmay extend radially inward of the port wall. A protrusionof the coupling membermay penetrate the second portionof the port wall. The port holemay be formed in the second portionof the port wall.

440 441 442 443 441 442 443 440 421 440 421 440 430 440 435 436 440 434 441 441 4411 4412 4413 4413 4413 420 4411 4412 4413 4411 4412 4412 4411 4211 421 4411 435 436 th th th th th th th th th According to an embodiment, the springsmay include a first spring, a second spring, and a third spring,, and. The shapes of the first spring, the second spring, and the third springmay be substantially the same as each other. The springsmay be disposed at an inner side of the port wall. The springsmay be in contact with an inner surface of the port wall. The springsmay be supported by the coupling member. At least a portion of the springsmay be positioned between the first walland the second wall. At least a portion of the springsmay be in contact with (e.g., seated on) the connecting portion. By way of example, referring to the first spring, the first springmay include a (1-1)spring portion, a (1-2)spring portion, and a first bending portion. The first bending portionmay include a bent shape. For example, the bent shape of the first bending portionmay at least partially extend, in an axial direction of the port, from the (1-1)spring portionand the (1-2)spring portion. The first bending portionmay connect the (1-1)spring portionand the (1-2)spring portion. The (1-2)spring portionmay be positioned closer than the (1-1)spring portionto the first portionof the port wall. The (1-1)spring portionmay be positioned between the first walland the second wall.

470 471 472 471 471 410 471 472 471 472 472 421 420 471 422 420 472 According to an embodiment, the support membermay include a first support portionand a second support portion. The first support portionmay be cylindrical. The first support portionmay include an end portion of the housing. A space may be formed inside the first support portion. The second support portionmay protrude radially inward from the first support portion. The second support portionmay be annular. A space may be formed inside the second support portion. The port wallof the portmay be inserted into the inside of the first support portion. The rim portionof the portmay contact (e.g., be seated on) the second support portion.

481 470 482 472 482 470 421 430 423 482 According to an embodiment, the eartip bodymay cover at least a portion of the support member. The holding portionmay contact (e.g., be seated on) the second support portion. The holding portionmay be positioned between the support memberand the port wall. At least a portion of the coupling membermay pass through the port holeand be inserted into the holding portion.

430 435 436 435 436 440 435 436 436 421 435 440 430 437 437 436 437 423 437 482 437 482 According to an embodiment, the coupling membermay include a first walland a second wall. The first walland the second wallmay be spaced apart from each other. The springmay be disposed between the first walland the second wall. The second wallmay be positioned closer to the port wallthan the first wallwith respect to the spring. The coupling membermay include a protrusion. The protrusionmay protrude from the second wall. The protrusionmay penetrate the port hole. The protrusionmay be inserted into the holding portion. The protrusionmay be fixed by contact (e.g., interference) with the holding portion.

101 424 424 480 424 421 424 321 421 5 FIG. According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a mesh member. The mesh membermay be disposed inside the eartip. The mesh membermay be coupled to the port wall. The mesh membermay cover an acoustic conduit (e.g., the acoustic conduitof) formed inside the port wall.

424 480 424 480 424 480 480 481 482 481 482 481 482 481 482 481 482 424 482 424 480 424 430 424 430 480 According to an embodiment, the mesh membermay be coupled to the eartip. The expression “coupled” (or “connected”) may include a case where a first component (e.g., the mesh member) is integrally formed with a second component (e.g., the eartip). For example, the mesh membermay constitute a part of the eartip. The eartipmay include an eartip bodyand a holding portion. The eartip bodyand the holding portionmay be integrally formed, or may be assembled to be separable from each other. A material of the eartip bodyand a material of the holding portionmay be different from each other. For example, the eartip bodymay include a rubber material, and the holding portionmay include a plastic material. A hardness of the eartip bodymay be less than a hardness of the holding portion. The mesh membermay be coupled to the holding portion. In a state in which the mesh memberis coupled to the eartip, the mesh membermay be spaced apart from the coupling member. The mesh membermay be positioned closer than the coupling memberto an end portion of the eartip.

424 480 480 481 482 481 482 481 482 424 481 424 424 481 482 424 481 482 424 According to an embodiment, the mesh membermay be a part of the eartip. The eartipmay include the eartip bodyand the holding portion. The eartip bodymay have a first hardness, and the holding portionmay have a second hardness greater than the first hardness. The eartip bodymay include a flexible material, and may include a silicone material. The holding portionmay include a rigid material and may include a plastic material (for example, polycarbonate (PC)). The mesh membermay be integrally formed with the eartip body. The mesh membermay have the first hardness. The mesh membermay include a flexible material and may include a silicone material. The eartip body, the holding portion, and the mesh membermay be integrally formed. The eartip body, the holding portion, and the mesh membermay be integrally manufactured and may be manufactured by a dual injection molding process.

11 FIG. 12 FIG. 13 FIG. 11 13 FIGS.to 1 10 FIGS.to 11 13 FIGS.to 14 27 FIGS.to 430 440 440 420 430 is a view illustrating the coupling memberand the springaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.is a view illustrating the springaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.is a view illustrating a state in which the portand the coupling memberare coupled. Components described with reference tomay be partially or entirely the same as the components described with reference to. Components described with reference tomay be partially or entirely the same as the components described with reference to.

430 434 435 436 437 430 431 432 433 420 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 437 436 420 430 431 432 433 6 FIG. According to an embodiment, the coupling membermay include a connecting portion, a first wall, a second wall, and a protrusion. A plurality of coupling membersmay be disposed. A plurality of coupling members (e.g., a first coupling member, a second coupling member, a the third coupling member) may be spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the port (e.g., the portof). Each of the plurality of coupling members (e.g., the first coupling member, the second coupling member, and the third coupling member) may include a connecting portion, a first wall, a second wall, and a protrusion. The protrusionmay protrude radially outward from the second wallof the port. The coupling membersmay include a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and a third coupling memberthat are spaced apart from each other.

440 440 441 442 443 441 442 443 420 441 431 442 432 443 433 6 FIG. According to an embodiment, a plurality of springsmay be disposed. The spring smay include a first spring, a second spring, and a third spring. Each of the first spring, the second spring, and the third springmay extend along a circumferential direction of the port (e.g., the portof). The first springmay be supported by the first coupling member. The second springmay be supported by the second coupling member. The third springmay be supported by the third coupling member.

441 4411 4412 4413 4413 4411 4412 4412 435 436 431 4412 434 431 4412 435 436 431 4411 435 436 433 4411 4432 435 436 433 4411 4432 443 435 436 433 4413 431 433 th th th th th th th th th th th th According to an embodiment, the first springmay include a (1-1)spring portion, a (1-2)spring portion, and a first bending portion. The first bending portionmay connect the (1-1)spring portionand the (1-2)spring portion. The (1-2)spring portionmay pass between the first walland the second wallof the first coupling member. The (1-2)spring portionmay contact (e.g., be seated on) the connecting portionof the first coupling member. The (1-2)spring portionmay be fitted between the first walland the second wallof the first coupling member. The (1-1)spring portionmay pass between the first walland the second wallof the third coupling member. The (1-1)spring portionmay be spaced apart from a (3-2)spring portionbetween the first walland the second wallof the third coupling member. The (1-1)spring portionmay overlap (e.g., in the axial direction) a (3-2)spring portion, of the third spring, between the first walland the second wallof the third coupling member. The first bending portionmay be located between the first coupling memberand the third coupling memberin, for example, a circumferential direction.

442 4421 4422 4423 4423 4421 4422 4422 435 436 432 4422 434 432 4422 435 436 432 4421 435 436 431 4421 4412 435 436 431 4421 4412 435 436 431 4423 431 432 th th th th th th th th th th th th According to an embodiment, the second springmay include a (2-1)spring portion, a (2-2)spring portion, and a second bending portion. The second bending portionmay connect the (2-1)spring portionand the (2-2)spring portion. The (2-2)spring portionmay pass between the first walland the second wallof the second coupling member. The (2-2)spring portionmay contact (e.g., be seated on) the connecting portionof the second coupling member. The (2-2)spring portionmay be fitted between the first walland the second wallof the second coupling member. The (2-1)spring portionmay pass between the first walland the second wallof the first coupling member. The (2-1)spring portionmay be spaced apart from the (1-2)spring portionbetween the first walland the second wallof the first coupling member. The (2-1)spring portionmay overlap (e.g., in the axial direction) the (1-2)spring portionbetween the first walland the second wallof the first coupling member. The second bending portionmay be located between the first coupling memberand the second coupling memberin, for example, a circumferential direction.

443 4431 4432 4433 4433 4431 4432 4432 435 436 433 4432 434 433 4432 435 436 433 4431 435 436 432 4431 4422 435 436 432 4431 4422 435 436 432 4433 432 433 th th th th th th th th th th th th According to an embodiment, the third springmay include a (3-1)spring portion, a (3-2)spring portion, and a third bending portion. The third bending portionmay connect the (3-1)spring portionand the (3-2)spring portion. The (3-2)spring portionmay pass between the first walland the second wallof the third coupling member. The (3-2)spring portionmay contact (e.g., be seated on) the connecting portionof the third coupling member. The (3-2)spring portionmay be fitted between the first walland the second wallof the third coupling member. The (3-1)spring portionmay pass between the first walland the second wallof the second coupling member. The (3-1)spring portionmay be spaced apart from the (2-2)spring portionbetween the first walland the second wallof the second coupling member. The (3-1)spring portionmay overlap (e.g., in the axial direction) the (2-2)spring portionbetween the first walland the second wallof the second coupling member. The third bending portionmay be located between the second coupling memberand the third coupling memberin, for example, a circumferential direction.

431 432 4422 4431 432 433 4411 4432 431 433 4412 4421 th th th th th th According to an embodiment, between the first coupling memberand the second coupling member, the (2-2)spring portionand the (3-1)spring portionmay be spaced apart from each other. Between the second coupling memberand the third coupling member, the (1-1)spring portionand the (3-2)spring portionmay be spaced apart from each other. Between the first coupling memberand the third coupling member, the (1-2)spring portionand the (2-1)spring portionmay be spaced apart from each other.

th th th th th th 4411 4421 4431 4412 4422 4432 4413 4423 4433 According to an embodiment, the (1-1)spring portion, the (2-1)spring portion, and the (3-1)spring portionmay each be referred to as a “first spring portion.” The (1-2)spring portion, the (2-2)spring portion, and the (3-2)spring portionmay each be referred to as a “second spring portion.” The first bending portion, the second bending portion, and the third bending portionmay each be referred to as a “bending portion.”

437 437 437 431 432 433 421 420 437 437 437 431 432 433 421 437 437 437 431 432 433 424 437 437 437 431 432 433 422 431 437 432 437 433 437 437 437 437 421 a b c a b c a b c a b c a b c a b c According to an embodiment, protrusions (e.g., a first protrusion, a second protrusion, and a third protrusion) of each of the plurality of coupling members (e.g., the first coupling member, the second coupling member, and the third coupling member) may penetrate the port wallof the port. The protrusions (e.g., the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusion) of each of the plurality of coupling members (e.g., the first coupling member, the second coupling member, and the third coupling member) may protrude radially outward from the port wall. The protrusions (e.g., the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusion) of each of the plurality of coupling members (e.g., the first coupling member, the second coupling member, and the third coupling member) may be located radially outward of the mesh memberThe protrusions (e.g., the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusion) of each of the plurality of coupling members (e.g., the first coupling member, the second coupling member, and the third coupling member) may face the rim portion. The first coupling membermay include the first protrusion. The second coupling membermay include the second protrusion. The third coupling membermay include the third protrusion. The first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusionmay be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the port wall.

14 FIG. 15 FIG. 14 FIG. 16 FIG. 14 FIG. 14 16 FIGS.to 1 13 FIGS.to 14 16 FIGS.to 17 27 FIGS.to 480 480 480 is a perspective view of an eartipaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A′ of the eartipillustrated in.is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B′ of the eartipillustrated in. The components described with reference tomay be partially or entirely the same as the components described with reference to. The components described with reference tomay be partially or entirely the same as the components described with reference to.

480 481 482 481 482 481 482 481 According to an embodiment, the eartipmay include an eartip bodyand a holding portion. The eartip bodymay include a space therein. At least a portion of the holding portionmay be disposed in the space inside the eartip body. At least a portion of the holding portionmay be spaced radially inward from an inner surface of the eartip body.

482 4821 4821 482 482 4822 4822 4821 482 4822 4822 482 According to an embodiment, the holding portionmay include an inner circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surfacemay be an inner surface of the holding portion. The holding portionmay include a recess. The recessmay be recessed into the inner circumferential surfaceof the holding portion. A plurality of recessesmay be disposed. The plurality of recessesmay be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the holding portion.

4822 482 4822 4822 4822 4822 4822 4822 482 4822 4822 4822 4822 430 430 4822 430 437 431 4822 437 432 4822 437 433 4822 a b c a b c a b c a a b b c c. 1 13 FIGS.to 11 FIG. 13 FIG. 11 FIG. 13 FIG. 11 FIG. 13 FIG. 11 FIG. According to an embodiment, the recessesof the holding portionmay include a first recess, a second recess, and a third recess. The first recess, the second recess, and the third recessmay be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the holding portion. The number of the plurality of recesses(e.g., the first recess, the second recess, and the third recess) may correspond to the number of coupling members (e.g., coupling memberof). For example, as illustrated in, three coupling membersmay be disposed, and three recessesmay be disposed to correspond to the plurality of coupling members, respectively. A first protrusion (e.g., the first protrusionof) of a first coupling member (e.g., the first coupling memberof) may be inserted into a first recess. A second protrusion (e.g., the second protrusionof) of a second coupling member (e.g., the second coupling memberof) may be inserted into a second recess. A third protrusion (e.g., the third protrusionof) of a third coupling member (e.g., the third coupling memberof) may be inserted into a third recess

17 FIG. 18 FIG. 17 FIG. 17 18 FIGS.and 1 16 FIGS.to 17 18 FIGS.and 19 27 FIGS.to 4800 4800 is a view illustrating an eartipaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.is a cross-sectional view of the eartipillustrated in. The components described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components described with reference to. The components to be described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components to be described with reference to.

4800 4810 4820 4810 4820 481 482 14 16 FIGS.to According to an embodiment, the eartipmay include an eartip bodyand a holding portion. The description of the eartip bodyand the holding portionmay be to the same as or similar to the description of the eartip bodyand the holding portionprovided with reference to.

4800 4830 4830 4820 4830 4820 4830 4830 437 437 437 431 432 433 4830 437 437 437 431 432 433 4830 4830 4800 420 420 420 a b c a b c 13 FIG. 11 FIG. 13 FIG. 11 FIG. 6 FIG. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the eartipmay include a recess. The recessmay be recessed in the holding portion. The recessmay extend along the circumference of the holding portion. The recessmay include a closed-loop shape. The recessmay be annular. Protrusions (e.g., the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusionof) of a plurality of respective coupling members (e.g., the first coupling member, the second coupling member, and the third coupling memberof) may be inserted into the recess. The protrusions (e.g., the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the third protrusionof) of the plurality of respective coupling members (e.g., the first coupling member, the second coupling member, and the third coupling memberof) may be disposed so as to be movable in the recessalong the extending direction of the recess. The eartipmay be coupled to the port(e.g., the portof) so as to be movable along the circumferential direction of the port.

19 FIG. 12 FIG. 19 FIG. 1 18 FIGS.to 19 FIG. 20 27 FIGS.to 440 440 440 441 442 443 440 a b illustrates contours respectively showing a distribution of external force acting on the springbefore deformation (see image) and a distribution of external force acting on the spring(e.g., the first spring, the second spring, and the third springof) after deformation (see image), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The components to be described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components described with reference to. The components to be described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components to be described with reference to.

3 19 FIGS.to 6 FIG. 6 FIG. 480 480 480 430 440 480 430 480 420 420 480 420 480 482 480 437 430 437 4822 482 437 482 437 420 437 420 440 435 436 430 430 437 4822 482 440 437 4822 440 437 4822 Referring to, the eartipmay include a deformable material. The eartipmay include a rubber or plastic material. The eartipmay be deformed by interference with the coupling member. The springmay be deformed by interference between the eartipand the coupling member. When the eartipis fixed to the port, the portmay move in a first direction (e.g., the +X direction of) toward the eartip. When the portmoves in the first direction (e.g., the +X direction of) toward the eartip, the holding portionof the eartipand the protrusionof the coupling membermay interfere with each other. The protrusionmay be inserted into the recessof the holding portion. When the protrusioninterferes with the holding portion, the protrusionmay be pushed radially inward of the port. When the protrusionis pushed radially inward of the port, the springdisposed between the first walland the second wallof the coupling membermay be deformed while moving together with the coupling member. When the protrusionis inserted into the recessof the holding portion, the deformed springmay push the protrusiontoward the recess. The deformed springmay apply a restoring force to the protrusionin a direction toward the recess.

20 FIG. 21 FIG. 20 21 FIGS.and 1 19 FIGS.to 20 21 FIGS.and 22 27 FIGS.to 510 520 530 540 580 101 580 520 is an exploded view of a portion of a housing, a port, a coupling member, a spring, and an eartip.is a view of a portion of the wearable electronic devicein a state in which the eartipand the portare coupled. The components to be described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components described with reference to. The components to be described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components to be described with reference to.

101 510 520 510 520 310 320 410 420 520 510 1 19 FIGS.to According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a housingand a port. The description of the housingand the portmay be the same as or similar to the description of the components (e.g., the housing, the port, the housing, the port) provided with reference to. The portmay be coupled to the housing.

101 570 570 470 570 510 520 570 1 19 FIGS.to According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a support member. The description of the support membermay be the same as or similar to the description of the support memberprovided with reference to. The support membermay be a portion of the housing. The portmay be coupled to the support member.

520 521 522 521 521 522 570 522 521 522 521 522 According to an embodiment, the portmay include a port walland a rim portion. The port wallmay form a space therein. The port wallmay be cylindrical. The rim portionmay contact (e.g., be seated on) the support member. The rim portionmay extend along a circumferential direction of the port wall. The rim portionmay surround the port wall. The rim portionmay be annular.

101 530 530 521 530 521 530 580 According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a coupling member. At least a portion of the coupling membermay be disposed inside the port wall. At least a portion of the coupling membermay protrude outward from the port wall. The coupling membermay be connected to the eartip.

101 540 540 530 540 521 540 580 530 According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a spring. The springmay be connected to the coupling member. The springmay be deformably disposed inside the port wall. The springmay be deformed when the eartipand the coupling memberare coupled.

101 580 580 520 580 530 580 581 581 520 580 582 582 581 530 582 580 583 583 321 350 101 583 5 FIG. 4 FIG. According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include an eartip. The eartipmay be coupled to the port. The eartipmay be connected to the coupling member. The eartipmay include an eartip body. The eartip bodymay extend along a circumferential direction of the port. The eartipmay include a holding portion. The holding portionmay be connected to the eartip body. At least a portion of the coupling membermay be inserted into the holding portion. The eartipmay include an opening. The openingmay be in communication with an acoustic conduit (e.g., the acoustic conduitof). Sound output from the at least one speaker (e.g., the at least one speakerof) may be transmitted to the outside of the wearable electronic devicethrough the opening.

22 FIG. 20 FIG. 23 FIG. 21 FIG. 22 23 FIGS.and 1 21 FIGS.to 22 FIGS. 24 27 FIGS.to 23 is a cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in.is a cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in. The components described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components described with reference to. The components to be described with reference toandmay be partially or wholly the same as the components to be described with reference to.

520 521 522 521 530 521 520 523 523 521 523 530 523 According to an embodiment, the portmay include a port walland a rim portion. A space may be formed inside the port wall. The coupling membermay be disposed inside the port wall. The portmay include a port hole. The port holemay be formed as an opening in the port wall. A plurality of port holesmay be formed and spaced apart from each other. At least a portion of the coupling membermay pass through the port hole.

530 530 520 530 530 540 540 530 530 540 530 540 530 According to an embodiment, a plurality of coupling membersmay be disposed. The plurality of coupling membersmay be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the port. Two coupling membersmay be disposed, but the number of coupling membersis not limited thereto. A plurality of springsmay be disposed. The plurality of springsmay correspond to the plurality of coupling members, respectively. For example, two coupling membersmay be disposed, and two springsmay be disposed to correspond to the two coupling members. The number of springsmay be the same as the number of coupling members.

570 571 572 571 571 510 571 572 571 572 572 521 520 571 522 520 572 According to an embodiment, the support membermay include a first support portionand a second support portion. The first support portionmay be cylindrical. The first support portionmay include an end portion of the housing. A space may be formed inside the first support portion. The second support portionmay protrude radially inward from the first support portion. The second support portionmay be annular. A space may be formed inside the second support portion. The port wallof the portmay be inserted into the inside of the first support portion. The rim portionof the portmay be seated on the second support portion.

581 570 582 572 582 570 521 530 523 582 According to an embodiment, the eartip bodymay cover at least a portion of the support member. The holding portionmay be seated on the second support portion. The holding portionmay be positioned between the support memberand the port wall. At least a portion of the coupling membermay pass through the port holeand be inserted into the holding portion.

530 535 536 535 536 540 535 536 536 521 535 540 530 537 537 536 537 523 537 582 537 582 According to an embodiment, the coupling membermay include a first walland a second wall. The first walland the second wallmay be spaced apart from each other. The springmay be disposed between the first walland the second wall. The second wallmay be positioned closer to the port wallthan the first wallwith respect to the spring. The coupling membermay include a protrusion. The protrusionmay protrude from the second wall. The protrusionmay penetrate the port hole. The protrusionmay be inserted into the holding portion. The protrusionmay be fixed by contact (e.g., interference) with the holding portion.

101 524 524 580 524 521 524 321 521 5 FIG. According to an embodiment, the wearable electronic devicemay include a mesh member. The mesh membermay be disposed inside the eartip. The mesh membermay be coupled to the port wall. The mesh membermay cover an acoustic conduit (e.g., the acoustic conduitof) formed inside the port wall.

524 580 424 480 424 480 580 581 582 581 582 581 582 581 582 581 582 524 582 524 580 424 530 524 530 580 According to an embodiment, the mesh membermay be coupled to the eartip. The expression “coupled” (or “connected”) may include a case where a first component (e.g., the mesh member) is integrally formed with a second component (e.g., the eartip). For example, the mesh membermay constitute a part of the eartip. The eartipmay include an eartip bodyand a holding portion. The eartip bodyand the holding portionmay be integrally formed, or may be assembled to be separable from each other. A material of the eartip bodyand a material of the holding portionmay be different from each other. For example, the eartip bodymay include a rubber material, and the holding portionmay include a plastic material. A hardness of the eartip bodymay be less than a hardness of the holding portion. The mesh membermay be coupled to the holding portion. In a state in which the mesh memberis coupled to the eartip, the mesh membermay be spaced apart from the coupling member. The mesh membermay be positioned closer than the coupling memberto an end portion of the eartip.

524 580 580 581 582 581 582 581 582 524 581 524 524 581 582 524 581 582 524 According to an embodiment, the mesh membermay be a part of the eartip. The eartipmay include the eartip bodyand the holding portion. The eartip bodymay have a first hardness, and the holding portionmay have a second hardness greater than the first hardness. The eartip bodymay include a flexible material, and may include a silicone material. The holding portionmay include a rigid material and may include a plastic material (for example, PC). The mesh membermay be integrally formed with the eartip body. The mesh membermay have the first hardness. The mesh membermay include a flexible material and may include a silicone material. The eartip body, the holding portion, and the mesh membermay be integrally formed. The eartip body, the holding portion, and the mesh membermay be integrally manufactured and may be manufactured by a dual injection molding process.

520 525 525 521 525 530 525 530 360 525 5 FIG. According to an embodiment, the portmay include a rib. The ribmay be disposed inside (e.g., at an inner side of) the port wall. The ribmay be disposed between a plurality of coupling membersthat are spaced apart from each other. The ribmay partition a space in which the plurality of coupling membersspaced apart from each other are disposed. A microphone (e.g., the microphoneof) may be supported by the rib.

24 FIG. 24 FIG. 1 23 FIGS.to 24 FIG. 25 27 FIGS.to 530 540 is a view illustrating a coupling memberand a springaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The components to be described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components described with reference to. The components to be described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components to be described with reference to.

530 530 520 530 530 530 531 532 20 FIG. According to an embodiment, a plurality of coupling membersmay be disposed. The plurality of coupling membersmay be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the port (e.g., the portof). Two coupling membersmay be disposed, but the number of coupling membersis not limited thereto. The coupling membermay include a first coupling memberand a second coupling memberthat are spaced apart from each other.

530 535 536 537 535 536 537 536 537 520 530 534 534 535 536 20 FIG. According to an embodiment, each coupling membermay include a first wall, a second wall, and a protrusion. The first walland the second wallmay be spaced apart from each other. The protrusionmay protrude from the second wall. The protrusionmay protrude radially outward from the port (e.g., the portof). The coupling membermay include a connecting portion. The connecting portionmay connect the first walland the second wall.

540 540 520 540 540 540 530 540 541 531 542 532 541 542 20 FIG. According to an embodiment, a plurality of springsmay be disposed. The springmay extend along the circumferential direction of the port (e.g., the portof). Two springsmay be disposed, but the number of springsis not limited thereto. The number of springsmay correspond to the number of coupling members. For example, the springsmay include a first springcorresponding to the first coupling member, and a second springcorresponding to the second coupling member. Each of the first springand the second springmay have an arc shape.

25 FIG. 26 FIG. 25 FIG. 25 26 FIGS.and 1 24 FIGS.to 25 26 FIGS.and 27 27 FIGS.to 580 580 is a side view of an eartipaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.is a cross-sectional view of the eartipillustrated in. The components to be described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components described with reference to. The components to be described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components to be described with reference to.

580 581 582 582 581 581 582 According to an embodiment, the eartipmay include an eartip bodyand a holding portion. At least a portion of the holding portionmay be located in the space inside the eartip body. The eartip bodymay cover at least a portion of the holding portion.

582 5821 5822 5821 582 5822 5821 5822 5822 580 5822 530 5822 5822 531 5822 532 24 FIG. 24 FIG. 24 FIG. a b According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the holding portionmay include an inner circumferential surfaceand a recess. The inner circumferential surfacemay be an inner surface of the holding portion. The recessmay be recessed in the inner circumferential surface. A plurality of recessesmay be disposed. The plurality of recessesmay be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the eartip. The number of recessesmay correspond to the number of coupling members (e.g., the coupling membersof). For example, the recessesmay include a first recessthat contacts (e.g., interferes) with a first coupling member (e.g., the first coupling memberof), and a second recessthat contacts (e.g., interferes) with a second coupling member (e.g., the second coupling memberof).

537 530 5822 580 24 FIG. 24 FIG. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a protrusion (e.g., the protrusionof) of the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) may be inserted into the recessof the eartip.

27 FIG. 24 FIG. 27 FIG. 1 26 FIGS.to 540 540 540 541 542 540 a b illustrates contours respectively showing a distribution of external force acting on the springbefore deformation (see image) and a distribution of external force acting on the spring(e.g., the first springand the second springof) after deformation (see image), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The components to be described with reference tomay be partially or wholly the same as the components to be described with reference to.

20 27 FIGS.to 20 FIG. 20 FIG. 580 580 580 530 540 580 530 580 520 520 580 520 580 582 580 537 530 537 5822 582 537 582 537 520 537 520 540 535 536 530 530 537 5822 582 540 537 5822 540 537 5822 Referring to, the eartipmay include a deformable material. The eartipmay include a rubber or plastic material. The eartipmay be deformed by interference with the coupling member. The springmay be deformed by interference between the eartipand the coupling member. When the eartipis fixed to the port, the portmay move in a first direction (e.g., the +X direction of) toward the eartip. When the portmoves in the first direction (e.g., the +X direction of) toward the eartip, the holding portionof the eartipand the protrusionof the coupling membermay interfere with each other. The protrusionmay be inserted into the recessof the holding portion. When the protrusioninterferes with the holding portion, the protrusionmay be pushed radially inward of the port. When the protrusionis pushed radially inward of the port, the springdisposed between the first walland the second wallof the coupling membermay be deformed while moving together with the coupling member. When the protrusionis inserted into the recessof the holding portion, the deformed springmay push the protrusiontoward the recess. The deformed springmay apply a restoring force to the protrusionin a direction toward the recess.

According to a comparative embodiment, a wearable electronic device may include a housing in which a battery and a speaker are disposed, and a port that includes an acoustic conduit through which sound generated from the speaker is transmitted. The wearable electronic device may be inserted into a user's ear and may include an eartip that surrounds the port. The size of the eartip may be determined based on the size of the port, and as the size of the port increases, the size of the eartip may also increase. The wearable electronic device may include a microphone that performs an active noise cancellation (ANC) function. The performance of the ANC function implemented by the microphone may improve as the area of the acoustic conduit of the port increases. When the sizes of the port and the eartip in the comparative embodiment are increased to enhance the ANC performance of the microphone, coupling between the enlarged eartip and the port may become difficult due to their increased sizes.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the sound reception performance of the microphone may be improved.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the eartip and the port may be firmly coupled.

The issues that embodiments of the present disclosure address are not limited to the aforementioned issues, and other issues may be solved by embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may increase the sound reception performance of the microphone by increasing the size of the port, while simultaneously ensuring a firm coupling between the port and the eartip.

The electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may increase the coupling force between the eartip and the coupling member by a restoring force of a spring.

The effects obtained by embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other effects, not described above, obtained by embodiments of the present disclosure may be clearly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs based on descriptions of the present disclosure.

101 410 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wearable electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceof) may include a housing (e.g., the housingof) having a space formed therein.

101 420 410 480 483 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceof) may include a port (e.g., the portof) that at least partially protrudes outward from the housing (e.g., the housingof), and an eartip (e.g., the eartipof) having an opening (e.g., the openingof) may be coupled to the port.

101 350 410 483 480 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceof) may include a speaker (e.g., the speakerof) disposed inside the housing (e.g., the housingof) and configured to output sound toward the opening (e.g., the openingof) of the eartip (e.g., the eartipof).

101 430 480 420 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceof) may include a coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) connecting the eartip (e.g., the eartipof) and the port (e.g., the portof).

480 4822 27 430 1 27 FIGS.to 1 FIGS. 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the eartip (e.g., the eartipof) may include a plurality of recesses (e.g., the recessesofto) into which at least a portion of the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) is inserted.

430 430 480 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) may include a plurality of coupling members (e.g., the coupling memberof) spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the eartip (e.g., the eartipof).

430 4822 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of coupling members (e.g., the coupling membersof) are configured to correspond to the plurality of recesses (e.g., the recessesof), respectively.

4822 420 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of recesses (e.g., the recessesof) may be spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the port (e.g., the portof).

420 421 430 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the port (e.g., the portof) may include a port wall (e.g., the port wallof) configured to accommodate at least a portion of the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof).

430 437 421 4822 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) may include a protrusion (e.g., the protrusionof) configured to penetrate the port wall (e.g., the port wallof) and to be inserted into the recess (e.g., the recessesof).

480 482 420 4822 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the eartip (e.g., the eartipof) includes a holding portion (e.g., the holding portionof) configured to surround the port (e.g., the portof), and in which the plurality of recesses (e.g., the recessesof) are formed.

430 435 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) may include a first wall (e.g., the first wallof).

430 436 435 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) may include a second wall (e.g., the second wallof) spaced apart from the first wall (e.g., the first wallof).

430 434 435 436 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) may include a connecting portion (e.g., the connecting portionof) connecting the first wall (e.g., the first wallof) and the second wall (e.g., the second wallof).

430 437 436 420 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) may include a protrusion (e.g., the protrusionof) protruding from the second wall (e.g., the second wallof) radially outward the port (e.g., the portof).

101 440 420 430 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceof) may include a spring (e.g., the springof) movably disposed inside the port (e.g., the portof) with the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof).

440 440 430 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spring (e.g., the springof) may include a plurality of springs (e.g., the springsof) disposed to correspond to the plurality of coupling members (e.g., the coupling memberof), respectively.

440 4411 4421 4431 420 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to th th th According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spring (e.g., the springof) may include a first spring portion (e.g., the (1-1)spring portion, the (2-1)spring portion, and the (3-1)spring portionof) extending along the circumferential direction of the port (e.g., the portof).

440 4412 4422 4432 4411 4421 4431 430 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to th th th th th th According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spring (e.g., the springof) may include a second spring portion (e.g., the (1-2)spring portion, the (2-2)spring portion, and the (3-2)spring portionof) spaced apart from the first spring portion (e.g., the (1-1)spring portion, the (2-1)spring portion, and the (3-1)spring portionof) and supported by the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof).

440 4413 4423 4433 4411 4421 4431 4412 4422 4432 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to th th th th th th According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spring (e.g., the springof) may include a bending portion (e.g., the first bending portion, the second bending portion, or the third bending portionof) connecting the first spring portion (e.g., the (1-1)spring portion, the (2-1)spring portion, and the (3-1)spring portionof) and the second spring portion (e.g., the (1-2)spring portion, the (2-2)spring portion, and the (3-2)spring portionof).

th th th 4412 4422 4432 435 436 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second spring portion (e.g., the (1-2)spring portion, the (2-2)spring portion, and the (3-2)spring portionof) may pass through a space between the first wall (e.g., the first wallof) and the second wall (e.g., the second wallof).

430 431 432 420 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) may include a first coupling member (e.g., the first coupling memberof) and a second coupling member (e.g., the second coupling memberof) that are spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction of the port (e.g., the portof).

4413 4423 4433 431 432 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bending portion (e.g., the first bending portion, the second bending portion, or the third bending portionof) may be located between the first coupling member (e.g., the first coupling memberof) and the second coupling member (e.g., the second coupling memberof).

4822 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of the plurality of recesses (e.g., the recessesof) may be greater than two.

430 420 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) may include a plurality coupling members spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the port (e.g., the portof).

430 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of the plurality of coupling members (e.g., the coupling membersof) may be greater than two.

440 430 480 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spring (e.g., the springof) is configured to provide a restoring force to the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof). toward the eartip (e.g., the eartipof)

101 430 480 420 420 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceof) may include a plurality of coupling members (e.g., the coupling membersof) connecting the eartip (e.g., the eartipof) and the port (e.g., the portof) and spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the port (e.g., the portof).

480 4822 430 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the eartip (e.g., the eartipof) may include a recess (e.g., the recessof) into which at least a portion of the plurality of coupling members (e.g., the coupling memberof) is inserted.

4822 430 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the recess (e.g., the recessesof) may be provided in plural to correspond to the plurality of coupling members (e.g., the coupling memberof), respectively.

101 4822 430 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceof) may include a recess (e.g., the recessof) into which at least a portion of the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) is inserted.

4822 480 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the recess (e.g., the recessesof) may include a plurality of recesses spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the eartip (e.g., the eartipof).

4822 480 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the recess (e.g., the recessesof) may extend curved along the circumferential direction of the eartip (e.g., the eartipof).

430 4830 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) may be movably inserted into the recess (e.g., the openingof).

101 440 430 430 420 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceof) may include a plurality of springs (e.g., the springsof) disposed to correspond respectively to the plurality of coupling members (e.g., the coupling memberof) and to move together with the plurality of coupling members (e.g., the coupling memberof), and spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction of the port (e.g., the portof).

101 430 480 420 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceof) may include a coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof) connecting the eartip (e.g., the eartipof) and the port (e.g., the portof).

101 424 480 483 430 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to 1 27 FIGS.to According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the wearable electronic device (e.g., the electronic deviceof) may include a mesh member (e.g., the mesh memberof) coupled to the eartip (e.g., the eartipof) and located adjacent to the opening (e.g., the openingof) closer than the coupling member (e.g., the coupling memberof).

Non-limiting example embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it will be evident to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that various modifications in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limited to those described above.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used in connection with various embodiments of disclosure, the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or “circuitry”. A module may be a single integral component, or a minimum unit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separately disposed in different components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, according to various embodiments, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components before the integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, the program, or another component may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.